Idaho Wolf

Idaho has a large wolf population, estimated at just over 1,300 wolves. Tons of public land and unlimited, inexpensive wolf tags make Idaho a perfect wolf hunting destination. There are no individual unit harvest quotas in place, so licensed hunters can hunt statewide with wolf tags. Idaho allows for year-round trapping for wolves on private property. Currently, wolf trapping seasons in 19 Idaho counties are closed due to a lawsuit in federal court.

Special wolf seasons allow for expanded methods of take. These include weapon restrictions that do not apply to wolf hunting, exemption from shooting hours, and allowance for spotlight or night vision equipment. Written permission from the landowner is required on private land, and a permit from the Director of Fish and Game is required on public land, which is consistent with requirements for spotlighting coyotes at night. Hunting wolves over bait is allowed on private land with landowner permission. Motorized vehicle restrictions for hunting big game do not apply for wolf hunting. Dogs may be used to pursue wolves, and no hound hunter permit is required.

Wolves can be found almost anywhere throughout Idaho, with higher concentrations in the northern and central regions of the state. This is especially true in GMUs 1 and 4, which combined, account for around 25% of Idaho’s statewide wolf harvest each year. In the northern Panhandle, you will be hunting logging areas as well as some thickly-timbered mountains. A lot of wolves are harvested each year by loggers who are in the field hunting other big games. Most hunters going to Idaho after wolves typically go December through February.

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